National Toy Hall of Fame

Source: The Toy Hall of Fame

I just made a recent discovery and I'm quite embarrassed that I didn't realize this years ago.

There's a National Toy Hall of Fame in the U.S.

Oh yeah!

It's housed in The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, N.Y. Each year the museum recognizes toys that have "inspired creative play and enjoyed popularity over a sustained period."

Ok, I’m intrigued.

So I checked out last year's inductees and they all brought a smile to my face: Battleship, Slime, and Trivial Pursuit. Three toys that have absolutely stood the test of time, all for very different reasons.

Battleship's roots go back to 1890 and literal war gaming. It’s all about strategy. It's the one game I could get my dad to play, I think because it pushed his mind and he liked that it pushed mine. Not sure how great the “war” topic is TBH, but the game remains a classic.

Slime was created by combining sodium tetraborate with guar gum, and Mattel realized it could be made into play. That’s because it can be stretched, squeezed, broken apart, and molded back together like magic. Pure tactile joy.

Trivial Pursuit has been challenging players for over 40 years, and it got adults back into the game with its obsession around geography, entertainment, history, art, science, and sports (probably others too). It rewards one’s breadth of knowledge, and gives the ego a boost.

Yes these are toys but they are also cultural artifacts. Pieces you would place into a time capsule, and clearly well deserving of a spot in a Hall of Fame. They've transcended generations and they've stayed relevant, inspiring creativity and joy for decades.

And they are also brands. And they are proving the real measure of a brand … can it make emotional connections that endure?

So here's my question for you: What toy would you nominate for the 2026 class? What did you grow up playing that is still relevant today?

What's your experience? JIM